The Shocking Truth Behind Ragnar Lothbrok's Ultimate Fate in Season 4 of Vikings

Vikings season 4 saw the demise of its central figure, Ragnar Lothbrok, as he met his end in a chilling manner. The execution method of being dropped into a pit of venomous snakes was derived straight from the Viking sagas and served a vital purpose in propelling the narrative forward. However, what made Ragnar's death even more compelling was the fact that he orchestrated it himself, transforming it into his ultimate triumph. Initially introduced as a humble farmer in Vikings season 1, Ragnar's insatiable curiosity about the world drove him to venture west and lead raids on England, ultimately ascending to the position of king. Unfortunately, Vikings season 4 marked Ragnar's downfall, as he grappled with a drug addiction, suffered a devastating defeat during the Second Siege of Paris, and disappeared from his hometown of Kattegat for an extended period of time.

Upon his return to Kattegat, Ragnar found himself in a severely weakened state, devoid of the capacity to conquer anything. His physical strength waned, and his reputation was tarnished, forcing him to resort to unearthing his treasure hoard, which ideally should have been saved for his afterlife in Valhalla, in order to bribe a crew of raiders to accompany him to England. Unfortunately, a destructive storm resulted in the destruction of his fleet, leaving Ragnar with no allies aside from his disabled son, Ivar the Boneless. Although he may not have posed a significant threat, Ragnar's death in Vikings allowed his character to inflict more devastation upon England than ever before, serving as a crucial component of a larger and audacious strategy.

How Does Ragnar Die In Vikings?

After Rollo's betrayal in Paris, Ragnar sought revenge by launching a raid on Francia. However, he suffered a humiliating defeat that deeply affected him. Returning to his homeland of Kattegat, Ragnar chose to isolate himself due to the shame he felt. This self-imposed exile lasted for years and had a profound impact on him, leaving him a changed man - weakened and filled with resentment as his glorious days seemed to be behind him. Faced with the grim reality of a declining life, Ragnar made the fateful decision to embrace his own downfall, ultimately leading to his demise as Ragnar Lothbrok.

Ragnar made another journey to England and willingly submitted himself to King Ecbert in Wessex, who then handed him over as a captive to King Ælle. For days on end, Ælle subjected Ragnar to relentless torture, yet the latter remained remarkably composed throughout. Ultimately, Ælle brought about Ragnar's demise by casting him into a pit teeming with venomous snakes. This particular account of the real-life Ragnar Lothbrok's death is just one among many, yet its gruesome nature remains etched in memory. The shocking and sudden manner in which Ragnar met his end captivated audiences, but what made it even more captivating was the calculated nature of Ragnar's premeditated plan.

Ragnar Became An Atheist Before His Death

One of the reasons behind the death of Vikings' protagonist Ragnar lies in his uncertain religious beliefs during season 4. Ragnar's inquisitive nature compelled him to question every aspect of life, including the existence of deities. The ongoing conflict between the Norse gods and Christianity has been a prominent theme throughout the series, exemplified by Ragnar's close friend Athelstan. However, their reactions to the clash of religions diverged significantly.

After being captured, Athelstan struggled to reconcile his Christian upbringing, his years as a monk, and his newfound kinship with the Vikings and their gods. It wasn't until shortly before Ragnar Lothbrok's death that he fully embraced Christianity and left behind his Norse faith. On the other hand, as Ragnar became more exposed to Athelstan's religion, he began to question the existence of the gods. Nevertheless, he understood the hold they had over people and cleverly used it to his advantage.

In Vikings season 3, during the First Siege of Paris, Ragnar deceived everyone by pretending to convert to Christianity. He requested to be baptized and staged his own death, allowing his casket to be carried into the heart of the city for a Christian burial. In a dramatic turn of events, he broke free from the casket and opened the gates of Paris, unleashing chaos upon the city with his army. Following Athelstan's death, Ragnar replaced his faith in the gods with a newfound faith in himself. While recovering from his injuries sustained in Paris, Ragnar experienced a vision of the gates of Valhalla closing, which could be interpreted as a sign that he was not yet ready to die or as the moment he stopped believing in Valhalla altogether.

In Vikings season 4, Ragnar expressed his disbelief in the existence of gods by criticizing the Seer's prophecies in Kattegat. He described them as ambiguous, bewildering, and ultimately self-fulfilling. According to Ragnar, humans are the masters of their own destinies, and the gods are merely a creation of mankind. They serve as a means to provide answers that people are too afraid to find themselves. As Ragnar neared the end of his life, he refused to accept that the gods had predetermined his death. Instead, he proudly declared that he alone determined the path of his destiny, including the manner in which he would meet his demise.

Ragnar Was Ready To Die (And Had Been For A While)

From the moment Ragnar Lothbrok returned to Kattegat in Vikings' season 4 time jump, it became evident that thoughts of his own demise consumed him. In a later conversation with King Ecbert, he revealed, "death has been foremost in my mind for quite some time." Initially, Ragnar tested his sons, daring them to kill him and claim the throne, but they did not take up the challenge. Subsequently, he symbolically hung himself from a tree, paying homage to the myth of Odin's self-sacrifice on Yggdrasil. This nod to the one-eyed Allfather is further emphasized in Ragnar Lothbrok's death scene, as one of his eyes swells shut from a severe beating.

When the rope finally snapped, saving his life, Ragnar Lothbrok, the Viking, decided to take a different approach to seek his death - by venturing back to England. He devised a cunning strategy to ensnare his adversaries in defeat, while ensuring his sons would achieve victory and earn widespread acclaim. It became evident that his departure marked a permanent farewell, as he took the time to bid farewell to all his loved ones, including reconciling with Floki.

Why Ragnar Wanted To Be Executed By King Ælle

Ragnar Lothbrok's ultimate objective in his death was to orchestrate the downfall of King Ecbert and King Ælle. While there was never a deep affection between Ragnar and Ælle, their similar personalities and shared affection for Athelstan fostered a mutual respect between Ragnar and Ecbert. Nevertheless, Ragnar, the formidable Viking leader, couldn't meet his end without seeking vengeance for the massacre of the Viking settlement years ago. He cunningly deceived Ecbert into believing that he had forgiven this atrocity, leading Ecbert to hand him over to Ælle and release Ivar. However, in truth, Ragnar instructed Ivar to exact revenge on both rulers.

However, Ragnar Lothbrok's death held a deeper significance beyond seeking revenge. In the second season of Vikings, he sought guidance from the Seer about the future of his sons. The Seer's prophesy revealed that his sons would surpass his own fame, with a particular focus on Ivar. Ragnar acknowledged that Ivar's physical disability, his non-functioning legs, actually granted him a unique strength that his brothers lacked. This insight into Ragnar Lothbrok's demise served as a final lesson for Ivar the Boneless, emphasizing that people would always underestimate him because of his legs, just as Ragnar's enemies had underestimated him when he appeared feeble and destitute.

Believing that he had control over his own destiny, Ragnar also sought to shape the fate of his sons. By instilling in them the motivation to avenge his death, he provided them with the rallying cry necessary to assemble the mighty heathen army. During his lifetime, Ragnar had to exhaust every resource he had to assemble a meager raiding party. However, in death, Ragnar Lothbrok transformed into a legendary Viking figure, capable of uniting the North's people and setting his sons on the path to glory. His enduring legacy remains an integral part of Vikings: Valhalla.

How Ragnar's Plan Played Out After His Death

Ragnar's military triumphs were quite limited despite his legendary status and accomplishments as an explorer. While his surprise raids on Northumbria proved successful, his first army led to Wessex suffered defeat due to King Ecbert's clever utilization of Roman military tactics. Furthermore, Ragnar faced brutal and costly defeats during both the initial battle and the subsequent sieges of Paris, returning home as a shattered man.

Although Ragnar made little progress in conquering England in his lifetime, his death in season 4 had devastating consequences for the country. His sons - Bjorn, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd, and Ivar - waged war with a massive army. Notably, Ivar emerged as a far superior military strategist compared to his father. Bjorn achieved an initial victory against King Ælle through sheer force, while Ivar cunningly confused King Ecbert's army and trapped them, leading to Ecbert's family fleeing and abandoning him. Bjorn gruesomely executed Ælle through the blood eagle ritual, while Ecbert chose a more peaceful death by cutting his own wrists. With their revenge for Ragnar accomplished, his sons were able to conquer the city of York, establishing a stronghold and utilizing Ivar's strategies to repel Saxon attempts at reclaiming it.

It was frequently mentioned in the Vikings series that Ragnar's true ambition extended beyond raiding England; he aspired to secure land for his people in that foreign territory. By orchestrating his own demise with great deliberation, he eventually achieved this objective. Whether or not Valhalla truly exists, and whether Ragnar found his way there, his existence persisted through the enduring legacy he built through his sons. Undoubtedly, this legacy encountered some obstacles in Vikings season 5 when his sons turned against each other, but Ragnar cannot be held accountable for that.

How Ragnar Lothbrok Died In Real Life

The legendary Norse king Ragnar Lothbrok, who served as the inspiration for the popular TV show Vikings, has become a prominent figure in Icelandic legends. These tales depict his triumphs in conquering England and other lands, until his ultimate defeat at the hands of King Ælle, who threw him into a pit of snakes, mirroring the iconic death scene of Ragnar Lothbrok. Unfortunately, there is limited evidence to confirm the existence of the historical figure known as Ragnar Lothbrok. While there is substantial proof of his sons, notably Ivar the Boneless, historians believe that Ragnar may have been a composite character, combining the stories of three distinct individuals: King Horik I of Denmark (featured in the Vikings series), King Reginfrid, and Reginherus.

The fate of the real King Horik was ultimately sealed by his own brother, Guttorm, while King Reginfrid's demise is believed to have occurred in the heat of battle. Although limited information exists regarding Reginherus' final moments, it is widely speculated that he met his end following his defeat in combat. However, none of these deaths have gained the same legendary status as the tales surrounding Ragnar's, which explains why Vikings season 4 chose to focus on portraying the mythical figure rather than historical accuracy.

Killing Off Ragnar Was Hard For Vikings Showrunner Michael Hirst

Fans of the series were not the only ones devastated by Ragnar's demise in Vikings. Showrunner Michael Hirst, who has penned every episode of the show, confessed to shedding tears during Ragnar's poignant death scene. As one of Hirst's beloved characters, Ragnar's passing deeply affected him. Hirst even acknowledged actor Travis Fimmel for his exceptional portrayal, stating, "When I witnessed it, I was moved to tears, realizing that this marked the culmination of a journey that Ragnar, Travis, and I had embarked on together. It was a collaborative creation between Travis and me—an incredibly emotional day."

The intense reaction experienced by Hirst was shared by every viewer, although the writer and historian can't help but feel that it was worth it, even though such a powerful presence in the show vanished. Hirst expressed, "It brings a tremendous impact to the show, truly justifying all the time and effort we have put into him. We handle death exceptionally well in Vikings, but this was particularly poignant." Vikings is not afraid to eliminate characters, often in the most physically agonizing ways, but witnessing Ragnar's demise in Vikings was primarily an emotional ordeal.

What Has Travis Fimmel Done Since Playing Ragnar Lothbrok?

Travis Fimmel's acting career has flourished since the cancellation of the show he was on. He has made appearances on both the big and small screens, including portraying Anderson in the series Dirty Black Bag and Anduin Lothar in the film adaptation of the popular video game Warcraft. Additionally, he has taken on various roles in other movies, showcasing his versatility as an actor. In his most recent endeavor, Fimmel will be seen playing the character Fenton "Preacher" Lang in the highly anticipated western movie Rust. Notably, he has also been a part of Charlie Day's directorial debut, Fool's Paradise, and is set to portray Desmond Hart in the upcoming HBO series Dune: The Sisterhood.